trenchard

Friday, February 28, 2025

The 3rd Baron Maclay 1942-2025

 Lord Maclay, the 3rd Baron, died 18 February, 2024. He was 82.

Jospeh Paton Maclay was born 11 April, 1942, eldest son of the 2nd Baron Maclay, KBE(1899-1969), and his wife the former Nancy Margaret Greig (1908-2014). He succeeded to the peerage (created in 1922), and baronetcy (cr 1914) on the death of his father, 7 November, 1969.

He married 30 April, 1976, Elizabeth Anne (Winks) Buchanan, daughter of George Buchanan, of Delamere, Pokataroo, NSW, Australia, by whom he had issue, two sons, Joseph and Thomas, and a daughter, Rebecca.

The elder son, the Hon Joseph Paton Maclay, born 6 March, 1977, succeeds as 4th Baron Maclay.

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Thursday, February 27, 2025

Countess Monica de Salis 1944-2025

 Countess Monica Juanita de Salis (née Bower), who died at her home in Dorset, 18 February, 2025, aged 80, was a granddaughter maternally of the 1st (and last) Baron Strickland, GCMG (6th Count Della Catena).

She was born Monica Juanita Bower, 27 December, 1944, the seventh daughter of Commander Robert Tatton Bower, RN (1894-1975), and his wife the Hon Henrietta Mary Caribbea Strickland (1903-1975), fourth daughter of Gerald, 1st Baron Strickland, GCMG (1861-1940), by his 1st wife Lady Edeline Sackvile, LStJ (who died 15 Dec, 1918), daughter of the 7th Earl De La Warr, &c.

She married 5 August, 1967, (Count) Bernard Peter De Salis (1936-2021), son of Peter Francis Fane de Salis (1902-1982), and his wife the former Winifred Alice d'Anyers Willis (1910-1977), scion of that landed gentry family.

She leaves two sons, Piers Robert de Salis (born 17 Dec, 1969), and Hugo John de Salis (born 6 May, 1971).

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Henrietta, Lady Beaumont 1942-2025

 Henrietta, Lady Beaumont, who died 18 February, 2025, aged 82, was the former wife of the late Sir George Beaumont, 12th Baronet (1924-2011).

She was born in 1942, as Henrietta Anne Waymouth, daughter of Dr Arthur Waymouth, and his wife the former June M.D. Petit, and married 27 December, 1963 (div 1986), as his second wife, Sir George Howland Francis Beaumont, 12th Baronet (born 24 September, 1924), son of Sir George Arthur Hamilton Beaumont, 11th Baronet (1881-1933), and his wife the former Renee Muriel Northey (who died 1987). Her husband succeeded his father in the baronetcy, 2 Oct, 1933; they divorced in 1986, and he died 23 March, 2011.

Lady Beaumont leaves twin daughters, Georgina and Francesca (born 12 June, 1967).

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Wednesday, February 26, 2025

Commander Peter Bruce, RN 1941-2025

 Commander Peter Bruce, RN, who died 18 February, 2025, aged 83, was a scion of the Bruce baronets.

He was born 26 September, 1941, the second son of Erroll Bruce (1913-2004), and his wife the former Silvia Daphne Bradley.

Lineage:-

Sir James Bruce, 2nd Baronet (1788-1836) > Rev Lloyd Bruce (1829-86) > Rev Dr Francis Bruce (1871-1956) > Erroll Bruce (1913-2004) > Peter Bruce (as above)

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Clover Matilda Jane Naylor-Leyland (born 2025)

Sophie Naylor-Leyland (nee Cooper), wife of Frederick George [Freddie] Naylor-Leyland [born 25 August, 1987], scion of the Naylor-Leyland baronets, gave birth to a daughter, Clover Matilda Jane, 17 February, 2025, a sister for Cosmo, who was born 6 June, 2023.

Freddie Naylor-Leyland is the younger son of David George Edward Naylor-Leyland [born 13 Oct, 1955], of Woodcote, Berkshire, by his wife the former Jane Lucinda Christian [born 29 Apr, 1955].

Sophie is the only daughter of Mr and Mrs Anthony Cooper, of Bussage, Gloucestershire.

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Monday, February 24, 2025

Joseph William Saumarez Smith 1971-2025

 Joseph William Saumarez Smith, who died 11 February, 2025, aged 53, was a British businessman, journalist and gambling expert. He was chair of the British Horseracing Authority, the chief executive of Sports Gaming Ltd, a gambling management consultancy, chairman of gambling platform developer Bede Gaming and an investor in numerous online businesses. He was descended from several landed gentry families and the Bridges baronets.

He was born 29 September, 1971, son of John Saumarez Smith (1943-2021), and his wife the former Laura Erith (b 1945).

He was descended from the Most Rev William Saumarez Smith, Archbishop of Sydney (1836-1909), and his wife Florence Deedes (1842- 89), scion of that landed family of Saltwood, and the Smiths of Hammerwood Park (scions of the Smith banking family), and Sir Brook Bridges, 3rd Baronet (1733-91). His great-grandmother was Muriel Hanbury (1878-1948), scion of that landed gentry family of Drumstinchall, formerly of Poles.

In March 2022 Joe Saumarez Smith was appointed the BHA Chair and in December 2022 his term was extended until June 2025.A lifelong lover of racing, he opened his first account with a bookie aged just 12 after seeing racing live for the first time at Sandown Park.His love for a punt was fostered at school, where his teacher taught fractions using odds. There was an outpouring of love for Saumarez Smith and the family he leaves behind on social media after his death was confirmed. ITV Racing presenter Oli Bell was among them, writing: "Joe was a proper gentleman. "Kind, thoughtful, funny, intelligent and a truly great friend to many.

He leaves a widow Wanda (nee Marshall), a son Oliver, and daughter Matilda (born 2004).

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Sir Robert Arnold Spencer-Nairn, 3rd Baronet 1933-2025

 Sir Robert Spencer-Nairn, 3rd Baronet, who died 13 February, 2025, aged 91, was a Vice-Lord Lieutenant of Fife.

Sir Robert, of Barham, Cupar, Fife was educated at Eton. He was a Fellow, Game Conservancy, 1993; Member of the Council of Macmillan Cancer Relief; and was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for Fife in 1995.

Robert Arnold Spencer-Nairn was born 11 October, 1933, son of Sir Douglas Spencer-Nairn, 2nd Baronet (1906-1970), and his wife Elizabeth Livingston Henderson (who died in 1985). He succeeded to the baronetcy (created for his grandfather in the year of his birth) on his father's death, 8 November, 1970.

He married 4 May, 1963, Joanna Elizabeth Salt (1937-2024), scion of the Salt baronets (cr 1899), daughter of Lieutenant-Commander George Stevenson Salt, RN (1908-1940), by his wife the former Lilian Bridget Francis (1912-2011), by whom he had issue, two sons, James and Andrew, and a daughter, Katharine. 

The baronetcy now passes to his elder son, James Robert Spencer-Nairn (born 7 December, 1966).

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Saturday, February 22, 2025

Georgia Bradley Lindesay-Bethune (born 2025)

Katherine (Kate) Lindesay-Bethune (nee O'Connor), wife of the Hon David Nigel Lindesay-Bethune [born 12 May, 1993], gave birth to a daughter, Georgia Bradley Lindesay-Bethune, 26 January, 2025.

The Hon David Lindesay-Bethune is the second son of the 16th Earl of Lindsay [born 19 November, 1955], of Upper Largo, Fife, and the Countess of Lindsay [nee Diana Mary Chamberlayne-Macdonald, born 12 Sept, 1961].

Kate Lindesay-Bethune is the eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Martin Bradley O’Connor II, of New Vernon, New Jersey.

David Lindesay-Bethune is a twin brother of Lady Charlotte, wife of His Royal Highness Prince Jaime of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Noto [born 26 June 1992].

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Main/Comyn engagement

 The engagement was announced 22 February, 2025, between Simon George M. Main (born 1988), son of Professor Brian George M. Main, FRSE, Professor of Economics, University of Edinburgh, and Mrs June Marks Lambert, of Edinburgh, & Annabel Susan Grosvenor Comyn (born 6 July, 1995), scion of that landed gentry family, daughter of Michael F. Comyn, of Pulborough, West Sussex, and his wife the former Lucinda Parker.

Annabel Comyn is descended from the Grosvenor Barons Ebury:-

Robert Grosvenor, 1st Baron Ebury > Hon Algernon Grosvenor > Rosamund Mary Dorothy Grosvenor > Rosemary Lynch > Michael Comyn > Annabel Comyn

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James/Harden engagement

The engagement was announced 22 February, 2025, between William Rhys James, only son of Mrs Gillian James and the late Mr Geoffrey James, of Woodford Green, London, & Matilda Claire Harden (born 1984), only daughter of David James Harden (born 29 July, 1954), of Nanhoron, Gwynedd, and his wife the former Bettina Clare Lascelles Tayleur.

Matilda Harden is descended from the Barons Rayleigh:-

John Strutt, 2nd Baron Rayleigh > Hon Edward Gerald Strutt > Gerald Murray Strutt > Ursula Joyce Strutt > David James Harden > Matilda Harden

 


Twins for Julian & Clementine Dineen (2025)

Clementine India B. Dineen (née de la Poer Beresford), wife of Julian Laurence S. Dineen (born 1987), gave birth to twins, Laurence John de la Poer Beresford and Margot Beatrix de la Poer Beresford, 10 January, 2025.

Julian is a son of Barry J. Dineen, by his wife the former Philippa M. Stackhouse.

Clementine is a descendant of the Beresford Earls of Tyrone (later Marquesses of Waterford).

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Denoon Duncan/Mostert engagement

 The engagement was announced 22 February, 2025, between Alexander James Denoon Duncan (born 14 December, 1994), son of James Douglas Denoon Duncan (born 1957), of Stone in Oxney, Kent, by his wife the former Nicola Jane Todhunter (born 1961), scion of that landed gentry family, & Yolandi Mostert,  daughter of Mrs Louise Mostert and Mr Philip Mostert of South Africa.

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Mary, Lady Jardine of Applegirth 1951-2025

 Mary, Lady Jardine of Applegirth, widow of Sir Alexander Jardine of Applegirth, 12th Baronet, has died aged 73.

She was born posthumously, 18 April, 1951, scion of the Viscounts Cross, daughter of the Hon John Michael Inigo Cross (b 23 Mar 1923 - died 2 February, 1951), and his wife, Sybil Anne Murray (who died 1 July, 2005), and a granddaughter of the 2nd Viscount Cross (1882-1932); and married 9 October, 1982, Alexander Maule Jardine (born 24 Aug, 1947), son and heir of Sir William Edward Jardine of Applegirth, 11th Baronet (1917-86), and his wife Ann Graham Maitland (1917-2006). Her husband succeeded his father, 19 Apr, 1986, as 12th Baronet, and died 6 April, 2008, aged 60.

Lady Jardine leaves issue, three sons, William, John and Douglas, and two daughters, Kirsty and Jean.

The eldest son is Sir William Jardine of Applegirth, 13th Baronet (born 4 July, 1984).

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Jemima Alice Gascoigne (born 2025)

 Florence Emma (Flossie) Gascoigne (born 1988, nee Crowhurst), wife of Ralph Edward Gascoigne [born 1989], scion of that landed gentry family, gave birth to a daughter, Jemima Alice, 10 February, 2025.

Ralph is a son of William Harcourt Crisp Gascoigne [born 22 November, 1955], of Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire, by his wife the former Susan Alexandra [Susy] Greville-Williams [born 1959].

Flossie Gascoigne is a daughter of James S. Crowhurst, of Newmarket, Suffolk, by his wife the former Theresa Jane Hodge [born 1959].

Ralph Gascoigne is a grandson of Crispin Gascoigne [1929-2001], by his wife the former Hon Elizabeth Ann Harcourt [1932-2020],  eldest daughter of the 2nd and last Viscount Harcourt [1908-79].

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Nino Cecilia Francis Coates (née Douglas-Hamilton) (born 2025)

 Isabel Rose Coates (nee Douglas-Hamilton, born 1991), wife of Jolyon Peter De Stacpoole Coates [born 1992], gave birth to a daughter, Nino Cecilia Francis, 9 February, 2025, a sister for Arthur Nicholas Hamilton, who was born 1 May, 2023.

Jolyon is) the elder son of Nicholas J. Coates, of Overton, Hampshire, and his wife the former Virginia Anne Julia Frances De Stacpoole [born 28 January, 1963].

Isabel [Wizz] Coates, a scion of the Dukes of Hamilton & Brandon, is daughter of Lord Patrick  George Douglas-Hamilton [born 2 Aug, 1950], of London, and his former wife the former Cecilia Frances Mary Usher [born 12 May, 1969] [now Mrs Matthew Benson, of Barns, Peeblesshire].

Isabel is a granddaughter paternally of the late 14th Duke of Hamilton [1903-73] and his wife the former Lady Elizabeth Ivy Percy [1916-2008], daughter of the 8th Duke of Northumberland [1880-1930].

Jolyon Coates, is descended from an Irish landed family, whose ancestor, Richard Fitzgeorge de Stacpoole [1787-1848] was created a Papal duke by Pope Gregory XVI  in 1831, as 1st Duc de Stacpoole.

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Friday, February 21, 2025

Justin Sholto James Douglas 1972-2025

 Justin Sholto James Douglas, who died 11 February, 2025, aged 52. 

He was born 23 August, 1972, an adopted son of Capt. James Sholto Arthur Douglas (born 2 January, 1935), late the 15th/19th Hussars, and his 1st wife the former Tedda Ann Webber; and married in Croatia, 13 Aug, 2009, (Diana) Yasmin Renton (born 1955, deceased), younger daughter of Bruce Renton and his wife, the former___ Milosevic.

His father descends in the male line from the Earls of Morton, and from the Beauclerk, Dukes of St Albans, and from the founder of that family, King Charles II.

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Sunderland/Agnew engagement

 The engagement was announced 21 February, 2025, between Benjamin Sunderland, son of Mr & Mrs Stephen Sunderland, of Oban, Argyll, & Georgina Catherine Agnew (born 1990), second daughter of James Douglas Agnew (born 16 January, 1959), of Kelso, Roxburghshire, and his wife the former Elizabeth Mary Cameron.

Georgina Agnew is a scion of the Agnew of Lochnaw baronets:-

Sir Andrew Agnew of Lochnaw, 7th Baronet > Sir Stair Agnew > Herbert Agnew > John Nevin Agnew > James Agnew > Georgina Agnew

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Thursday, February 20, 2025

Arthur Somers Llewellyn 1953-2025

Arthur Somers Llewellyn, died 17 February, 2025, aged 71.

He was born 10 May, 1953, third son of the Rt Rev William Somers Llewellyn (1907-2001),  sometime Chaplain to the Forces, and Bishop of Lynn, by his wife the former Innis Mary Smith-Dorrien-Smith (1916-1999), scion of that landed gentry family; and married 1980, Nicola J. Moon, by whom he had a son, Edward Augustus Llewellyn (born 15 June, 1985), and a daughter, (Florence) Rose Llewellyn (born 9 September, 1983).

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Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Prince Francesco Guido Carlo Antonio Maria Rospigliosi 1947-2025

 Prince Francesco Guido Carlo Antonio Maria Rospigliosi, who has died aged 78, was an Italian noble, and scion of the Scottish earls of Newburgh.

He was born 8 January, 1947, the second son of Giulio Cesare Taddeo Cosimo Rospigliosi, 11th Earl of Newburgh (1907-1986), and his wife Donna Giulia Visconti di Modrone, and was a younger brother of Filippo Giambattista Francesco Aldo Maria Rospigliosi, 12th Earl of Newburgh (born 4 July, 1942).

He married in 1974, Clothilde Rival de Rouville, the daughter of Henri Rival de Rouville, by whom he had issue, a son, Alessandro Guilio Enrico Aurobindo Francesco Maria Rospigliosi (who was born in 1978).

His funeral took place 18 February, 2025, in Milan.

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De Klee/Elliott engagement

 The engagement was announced 19 February, 2025, between Joseph Lorne De Klee (born 1992), son of Rupert Murray De Klee (born 18 August, 1956), of Auchtermuchty, Fife & his wife the former Charlotte Ann Margaret Hutley (born 1956), & Laura Katherine Elliott (born 1992), daughter of the Hon Richard John Elliott (born 1959), of Chelsea, London, and his wife the former Susu Robertson.

The bride-to-be is a granddaughter of the late life peer the Baron Elliott of Morpeth, DL (1920-2011).

Joseph De Klee is descended from the Stormonth Darling landed gentry family, of Lednathie, Kirriemuir, Angus, and the Earls of Portarlington:-

The 1st Earl of Portarlington > Col the Hon George Dawson-Damer > Lady Constance Dawson-Damer > Olive Leslie > Virginia Violet Guthrie > Murray Peter De Klee > Rupert De Klee > Joseph De Klee

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Julian Humphrey Prideaux 1942-2025

 Julian Humphrey Prideaux, who died 12 February, 2025, aged 82, was a scion of that gentry family of Elderslie, born 19 June, 1942, the second son of Sir Humphrey Povah Treverbian Prideaux, OBE, DL (1915-2014), and his wife the former Cynthia Violet Birch Reynardson (1918-2008), scion of that landed gentry family; & married 5 August, 1967, Rosamund Jill Dougal, daughter of Richard Patrick Roney Dougal, by whom he had two sons, Adam (born 1968), and Nigel (born 1971).

His father, Sir Humphrey,  was a Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire and was awarded a knighthood in the 1971 New Year’s Honours list.

Julian's descent from the Barons De Mauley;-

2nd Baron De Mauley > Hon Edwin Ponsonby > Diana Helen Ponsonby > Cynthia Birch Reynardson > Julian Prideaux

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Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Deirdre Jocelyn Pegg (nee Wingfield) 1936-2025

Deirdre Jocelyn Pegg, who died 31 January, 2025, aged 88, was a scion of the Viscounts Powerscourt.

She was born 11 July, 1936, daughter of Anthony Desmond Rex Wingfield, DSO, MC (1908-1995), and his wife the former Juliet Constance Stanley (1913-1980); and married 23 October, 1969, Basil Tiernay Pegg (1925-2019), son of Colonel Albert Cecil Pegg (1893-1977), and his wife the former Naida Olivia Tiernay (1896-1986), by whom she had issue, a son, Jonathan (born 1973), and a daughter, Camilla (born 1971).

She was a kinswoman of Sarah Duchess of York, who has Wingfield descent.

The 7th Viscount Powerscourt > Maj-Gen the Hon Maurice Wingfield > Anthony Desmond Rex Wingfield > Deirdre Wingfield (d 2025)

The 7th Viscount Powerscourt > 8th Viscount Powerscourt > Hon Doreen Julia Wingfield > Susan Mary Wright > Sarah Margaret Ferguson = HRH Prince Andrew, Duke of York

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Simon Michael Grayson Drummond-Brady 1955-2025

 Simon Michael Grayson Drummond-Brady died 8 February, 2025. He was 69.

He was born 12 November, 1955, elder son of Major Michael John Drummond-Brady (who died in 2022), and his wife the former Angela Mary Finucane Grayson (1934-2017), scion of the Grayson baronets, a granddaughter of Sir Henry Grayson, 1st Baronet (1865-1951); and married in 1988, Nicola Fletcher, daughter of Peter Fletcher.

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Thomas Edward Douglas Leigh-Pemberton (born 2025)

  Emily L. Leigh-Pemberton (nee Dawes), wife of David Geoffrey Berners Leigh-Pemberton [born 1988], scion of that landed gentry family, gave birth to a son, Thomas Edward Douglas, 13 February, 2025, a brother for Christopher Michael Dean, who was born 22 March, 2023.

Emily is the eldest daughter of Mr & Mrs Douglas Dawes, of Columbus, Indiana, United States.

David Leigh-Pemberton is the eldest son of the Hon Edward Douglas Leigh-Pemberton [born 10 January, 1959], of Longcot, Oxfordshire, and his wife the former Jessica Elizabeth Berners Allsopp [born 5 Apr, 1960], scion of the Barons Hindlip.

David is a grandson paternally of the Baron Kingsdown, KG [1927-2013], Governor of the Bank of England 1983-93.

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Monday, February 17, 2025

Eckett/Wray engagement

The engagement was announced 17 February, 2025, between Thomas Kenneth Malie Eckett (born 1994), son of Simon Malie Eckett (born 1963), of Buckland, Buckinghamshire, and his wife the former Catherine Ann (Kate) Young (born 20 December, 1962), & Lucy Georgina Wray (born 1995), daughter of Adrian Charles Wray (born 1957), of Ambrosden, Oxfordshire, and his wife the former Catherine Susan Rawson (born 1960).

Thomas Eckett is descended from the Benn baronets:-

Sir Ernest Benn, 2nd Baronet (1875-1954) > Edward Benn (1905-2000) > Elizabeth Benn (b 1936) > Catherine Young (b 1962) > Thomas Eckett (b 1994)

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Sir Charles Thomas Legard, 15th Baronet 1938-2025

 Sir Charles Thomas Legard, 15th Baronet, of Scampston Hall, Malton, North Yorkshire, died 4 February, 2025, aged 86.

He was born 26 October, 1938, the eldest son of Sir Thomas Digby Legard, 14th Baronet (1905-1984), by his wife the former Mary Helen L'Estrange Malone, and was educated at Eton.

He succeeded his father in the baronetcy, 1984. The title was created in 1660, for John Legard, a supporter of King Charles II and the Royalist cause.

Sir Charles was educated at Eton. He married 1stly, 24 November, 1962, Elizabeth, the only daughter of John Guthrie, of High House, East Ayton, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, by whom he had issue, two sons, Christopher and Edward, and a daughter, Louise. He married 2ndly, in 1987, Caroline Weston.

The elder son, Christopher John Charles Legard (who was born 19 Apr, 1964), succeeds as 16th Baronet.

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Henry James Fanshawe (born 2025)

 Lucy Megan Fanshawe (nee Blumberg, born 1993), wife of [Thomas] Edward Gennys Fanshawe [born 1993], scion of the Fanshawes of Parsloe Manor, gave birth to a son, Henry James, 10 February, 2025, a brother for Arabella May, who was born 6 December, 2021.

Edward Fanshawe is a son of Richard Philip Fanshawe [born 1964], of Ascott-under-Wychwood, co Oxford, and his wife the former Charlotte Winifred Margaret Benjamin,

Lucy Blumberg is a daughter of Stuart J Blumberg [born 1953], of Cleobury Mortimer, Shropshire, and his wife Cherry.

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Saturday, February 15, 2025

Mary Pamela Davidson (née Sebag-Montefiore) 1951-2025

Mary Pamela Davidson, who died 12 February, 2025, aged 73, was a scion of the Sebag-Montefiore landed gentry family.

She was born 5 May, 1951, daughter of Denzil Charles Sebag-Montefiore (1914-1996), and his wife the former Ruth Emily Magnus (1915-2015), scion of the Magnus baronets; and married 1973, David Murray Davidson (who died 15 November, 2024), son of Colonel Robert St Clair Davidson (1900-1993), of The Manor House, Upham, Hampshire, by his wife the former Helen Murray, by whom she had issue,  a son, Denzil (born 1975), and two daughters, Susanna (Zanna) (born 1978), and Felicity (born 1982).

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Edward Jeremy Stephen Mahony (born 2025)

 Harriet Mary C. Mahony (nee Walsh), wife of Dermot Edward Struan Mahony (born 16 November, 1988), scion of that Irish landed gentry family, gave birth to a son, Edward Jeremy Stephen, 28 January, 2025, a sister for Beatrice Mary Lucinda, who was born 15 May, 2023.

Harriet is a daughter of Jeremy Walsh, of Stockland, Devon, and his wife the former Mary M. Hardwick.

Dermot is a son of Stephen Dominic Patrick Mahony (born 1956), and his wife the former Lucinda Margaret Ann Robertson (born 23 July, 1960), a great-granddaughter of the 1st Baron Forres.

Dermot Mahony is a descendant of the Barons Forres:-

The 1st Baron Forres (1860-1931) > Hon Gerald Williamson (1893-1966) > Hersey Williamson (1920-2012) > Lucinda Robertson (b 1960) > Dermot Mahony (b 1988) > Edward Mahony (b 2025)

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Rory Matthew Alexander Hobden (born 2025)

 Lucy Elisabeth Hobden (née Drummond Brady), wife of George Alexander Hobden (born 1990), gave birth to a son, Rory Matthew Alexander, 28 January, 2025, a brother for Isla Emma E (born 2022).

George is a son of Peter Hobden (born  1957), and his wife the former Emma Birkbeck.

Lucy Hobden is a daughter of Mark Frederick Grayson Drummond Brady (born 1957), descended from the Grayson baronets, and his wife the former Susan Fair (born 1959).

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Julia Viscountess Lymington 1931-2025

 Julia Viscountess Lymington died 11 February, 2025. She was 93.

She was born in 1931 as Julia Ogden, daughter of  of Commander (William) Graeme Ogden DSC RN, of Frome, co. Somerset, and married firstly in 1952 (div), Peter Robin Kirwan-Taylor (1930-2014), son of Lieutenant-Colonel William John Kirwan-Taylor (1905-1994), by whom she had issue, a son and two daughters; she married 2ndly, 26 March, 1974, Oliver Kintzing Wallop, styled Viscount Lymington (b. 14 Jan 1923; dvp. 5 Jun 1984), son and heir of the 9th Earl of Portsmouth (1898; died 28 Sept 1984), by his wife the former Mary Lawrence Post, daughter of Waldron Kintzing Post, of Bayport, Long Island, USA.

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Peter Henry Arthur Stanley 1933-2025

 Peter Henry Arthur Stanley, who died 5 February, 2025, aged 91, was a scion of the Earls of Derby.

He was born 17 March, 1933, son of Colonel Frederick Arthur Stanley (1905-1978), and his wife the former Anne Jane Collins (1913-1997), a descendant of the Dukes of Roxburghe; and married 1stly, 9 May 1965 (div 1985), Gunilla Margaretha Antonia Sophie Gräfin Douglas, daughter of Count Wilhelm Douglas (1907-1987), of Schloss Langenstein, Baden & his wife Ursula von Ellrichshausen (1913-1972); and married 2ndly, 1990 (div. 1992), Lucy Barnett, daughter of James Barnett Jr, of California; and married 3rdly, 1999, as her third husband, the Hon Caroline Mary Renton (born 1948), former wife of (1) Peter Dodds Parker, & (2) Robin Warwick Anthony Parr, & daughter of the life peer the Baron Renton, KBE, TD, PC, QC (1908-2007), & his wife the former Claire Cicely Duncan (1923-1986). 

Peter Stanley leaves issue from his first marriage, a son, Robin (born 20 Apr, 1968), and a daughter, Louisa (born 17 Nov, 1966).

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Zeal/Oury engagement

The engagement was announced 15 February, 2025, between Toby Alan Zeal (born 1 March, 1996), younger son of Christopher John Zeal (born Feb 1958), of Twyford, Berkshire, and his wife the former Lucy Violet Godsal (born 15 March, 1964), scion of that landed gentry family, & Amelia Frederica Oury (born 1997), second daughter of Michael A.L. Oury, of Godalming, Surrey, and his wife the former Helen Cooper.

Toby Zeal is descended from the Earls of Courtown:-

The 8th Earl of Courtown > Lady Elizabeth Stopford > Lucy Godsal > Toby Zeal

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Bradley/Guy engagement

 The engagement was announced 15 February, 2025, between Henry William J. Bradley (born 1990), the only son of Mr and Mrs David Bradley, of Kingsclere, Hampshire, and Alexandra Margaret Guy (born 1992), youngest daughter of (Ronald) John Guy (born 1948), of Almeria, Spain, and Lucinda Margaret Peyton-Jones (born 1954),of Wandsworth, London, scion of that landed gentry family.

Robert Grosvenor, 1st Baron Ebury > Capt the Hon Norman Grosvenor > Margaret Grosvenor > Jeremy Peyton-Jones > Lucinda Peyton-Jones >Alexandra Guy

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Laing/Maxwell engagement

 The engagement was announced 15 February, 2025, between William J.C. Laing, son of Mr and Mrs Rodney Laing of Great Shelford, Cambridgeshire, & Isabella Emily Maxwell (born 1995), scion of the Barons Farnham, daughter of the Hon Robin Somerset Maxwell (born 15 September, 1965), of Glemsford, Suffolk, and his wife the former Tessa M. Shepherd.

The Hon Robin Maxwell is heir apparent to his father the 13th Baron Farnham (born 12 Dec, 1933).

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William (Otto) David Stanley (born 2025)

Beatrice Kitty Stanley (born 1992, nee Reeve-Tucker), wife of [Richard] Hugh Edward Stanley [born 1 May, 1993], scion of the Earls of Derby, gave birth to a son, William (Otto) David, 26 January, 2025.

Hugh Stanley is a son of the Hon Peter Hugh Charles Stanley [born 4 March, 1964], of New England Stud, Newmarket, and his wife the former Hon Frances Caroline Burke Roche [born 31 March, 1965], scion of the Barons Fermoy.

Beatrice Stanley is the middle daughter of David Wyborn Reeve-Tucker [born 1961], of Perrystone Towers, Herefordshire, and his wife the former Philippa Jane Thompson [born 1961].

Edmund Roche, 4th Baron Fermoy > Edmund Roche, 5th Baron Fermoy > Hon Frances Roche > Hugh Stanley 

Hugh Stanley is a second cousin of TRH The Dukes of Cambridge and Sussex. He and the royal dukes are great-grandsons of the 4th Baron Fermoy [1885-1955]

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James Alastair Geoffrey Fawcett 1964-2025

 James Alastair Geoffrey Fawcett died 6 February 2025, aged 60.

He was born in 1964, son of John Fawcett and his wife the former Sarah Branston, and married 1996, Lara Sarah Grylls (born 1966), daughter of Sir William Michael John Grylls, MP (1934-2001), and his wife the former Sarah Smiles Justice Ford (1932-2002), descended from the Earls of Shrewsbury, Barons Lyttelton, &c, daughter of Neville Montagu Ford (1906-2000), and his wife the former Patricia Smiles (1921-1995) (who was later Lady Fisher, wife of Sir Nigel Fisher, MP (1913-1996)).

He leaves issue, two sons, Mungo Lionel P (born 1997), and Bevan Michael B (born 1999), and a daughter, Tallulah Smiles (born 2002).

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Thursday, February 13, 2025

Simon/Wittels engagement

The engagement was announced 13 February, 2025, between Ferdinand William Hugo Simon (born 1990), younger son of the Hon Sir Peregrine Charles Hugo Simon, PC (born 20 June, 1950), a former Lord Justice of Appeal, of Glaisdale, North Yorkshire, and his wife the former Francesa Foerescue Hitchens (born 1 July, 1953), & Dr Annabelle S. Wittels, daughter of Prim Dr Peter Wittels-Prilesky de Prilesz and Ms Nadja Uran, both of Vienna.

Ferdinand Simon is a grandson of the late life peer the Baron Simon of Glaisdale, PC, DL (1911-2006).

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Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Colonel James Gustavus Hamilton-Russell, MBE, DL 1938-2025

Colonel James Gustavus Hamilton-Russell, MBE, DL, who died 5 February, 2025, aged 86, was a scion of the Viscounts Boyne.

He was born 11 September, 1938, son of Major the Hon John Hamilton-Russell (b 1911- killed in action, 1943), by his wife the former Lady Diana Legge, CStJ (1910-1970), 3rd daughter of the 7th Earl of Dartmouth, GCVO, TD (1881-1958). 

He was a paternal grandson of the 9th Viscount Boyne (1864-1942), and his wife Lady Margaret Selina Lascelles (1883-1978), scion of the Earls of Harewood.

He married 30 Oct, 1965, Alison Mary Heard (1941-2022), daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Sydney Haydn Heard, MBE, CStJ (1911-1989), and his wife the former Phyllis Mary Baber (1915-1984), by whom he had issue, twin sons, Capt Mark Hamilton-Russell, Blues & Royals, & Capt Edward Hamilton-Russell of the Life Guards (born 17 May, 1969), and a daughter, Julia (born 14 Sept, 1967). 

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Hernandez-Pecina/Breitmeyer engagement

The engagement was announced 12 February, 2025, between Hugo Hernandez-Pecina, son of M and Mme Paulito Hernandez-Pecina, of Septmoncel, France, & Georgina Louise Breitmeyer (born 1990), scion of that landed gentry family, daughter of Maj. Timothy Hugh Breitmeyer (born 1959), of Bartlow, Cambridgeshire, and his wife the former Henrietta Beatrice Jane Balcon (born 5 November, 1960), a granddaughter of the 5th and last Baron Hillingdon (1906-1982).

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Robert Theodore Spencer Dunlop (born 2025)

 Georgina Helen [Georgie] Dunlop [nee Spencer, born 1987], wife of [Robert] James [Jamie] Dunlop [born 1987], gave birth to a son, Robert Theodore Spencer (Theo), 5 February, 2025, a brother for Coco Florence, born 27 July, 2020, and for Tallulah Elspeth, born 14 June, 2022. 

Jamie Dunlop is a son of Robert Andrew Dunlop [born 1948], by his wife the former Catherine Jennifer Ewart, and is a grandson of Maj Roy Dunlop, MBE [1906-91], who married Sheila Gertrude Tollemache Arbuthnot [1917-2019], scion of the Arbuthnot baronets.

Georgie Dunlop is a daughter of Peter Kenneth Spencer and the former Stephanie Moira Russell.

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Sir (John) Martin Armytage, 9th Baronet 1933-2025

 Sir (John) Martin Armytage, 9th Baronet, died 2 February, 2025. He was 91.

The baronet, who lived in Cheltenham, was ninth holder of the baronetcy created in 1738, of Kirklees, Yorkshire, where the family had been seated for centuries.

Martin Armytage, educated at Eton and Worcester College, Oxford, was the son of Sir John Lionel Armytage, 8th Baronet (1901-1983), of Kirklees Park, Brighouse, West Yorkshire, and his wife the former Evelyn Mary Jessamine Fox (died 2008), daughter of Edward Herbert Fox, of Adbury Park, Newbury.

He succeeded to the baronetcy on his father's death, 21 June, 1983. He was unmarried. 

The title now passes to his cousin, Hugh Anthony Armytage (born 6 August, 1955).

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Elizabeth Valerie Beauclerk Sweeting 1930-2025

 Elizabeth Valerie Beauclerk Sweeting, who died 26 January, 2025, aged 94, was descended from the Viscounts Hawarden.

She was born 27 August 1930, daughter of Capt Humphrey Greenwood Hopper (1898-1992), and his wife the former Valerie Beauclerk Maude (1897-1989), whose middle name comes from her descent from the Beauclerk Dukes of St Albans (and of course from the Merrie Monarch Charles II).

She married 25 July, 1952, Donald Furneaux Sweeting (1923-2010), by whom she had issue, two sons, James (born 14 Dec, 1954), and Gerard (born 14 Nov, 1958), and a daughter, Henrietta (born 31 Oct, 1953).

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Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Major Henry Charles Blosse Lynch 1933-2025

Maj. Henry Charles Blosse Lynch died 2 February, 2025, aged 91. He was head of that landed gentry family.

He was born in 1933, son of Colonel Henry Patrick Blosse Lynch (1899-1982), and his wife the former Lois Burnley Yate (1900-86); and married 1966, Janet Duveen Jolley Morris, by whom he had a son, (Henry) James (born 1972), and two daughters, Emily Jane (born 1967), and Clare Annabel (born 1969).

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Georgina Connie Louisa Portal (born 2025)

Rhea Portal (nee Escriba), wife of William Jonathan Francis Portal (born 1 Jan, 1987), scion of the Portal baronets, gave birth to a daughter, Georgina Connie Louisa, 7 February, 2025.

William Portal is the son and heir of Sir Jonathan Francis Portal, 6th Baronet (born 13 Jan, 1953), of Ashe, Hampshire, and Lady Portal (nee Louisa Caroline Hervery-Bathurst, born 25 Sept, 1959), scion of the baronets of that name.

Rhea Portal is the only daughter of Mr and Mrs R. Escriba, of Cebu, Philippines.

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Monday, February 10, 2025

Lieutenant-Colonel Alastair William Scott Elliot 1934-2025

 Lieutenant-Colonel Alastair William Scott Elliot, late the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, died 1 February, 2025. He was 90.

He was born in November, 1934, into a distinguished military family, the son of Major General James Scott Elliot, DSO* (1902-96), and grandson of Lt Colonel William Scott Elliot DSO (1873-1943). 

His mother was the former Cecil Margaret Du Buisson, a sister of Major Thomas Gerard Du Buisson, MBE, MC was in the Royal Artillery during the First World War. In 1932 he married the Hon Sylvia Grace Portman (1900-84), daughter of the 4th Viscount Portman.

His father, Maj-Gen Scott Elliot, had an impressive military career. This included service in Egypt, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and India. During the Second World War, Scott Elliot was sent to France where he contributed to battles in Lille and Le Havre. In 1942, he was then put in command of the 6th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. He was awarded the DSO twice. In 1943 he was sent to the west coast of Italy where he commanded the 167th (London) Brigade of the 56th Division.

He leaves a widow, Frances, and two sons, Robin and Simon.

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Sunday, February 09, 2025

New Aga Khan is named

Prince Rahim, the eldest son of the late Aga Khan has been named the Aga Khan V, the fiftieth hereditary Iman of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, in accordance with the historical Shia Imami Ismaili Muslim tradition

The announcement was made in the presence of the Imam’s family and senior Jamati leaders, in Lisbon on 5 February 2025, following the reading of the late Aga Khan's Will.

In 1957 when his father succeeded as the 49th Iman, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II bestowed upon him the title of His Highness. Will King Charles III now bestow the same personal title upon Rahim?

Prince Rahim is now Mawlana Shah Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan V. He married in 2013 (div) Kendra Spears, who was thereafter styled Princess Salwa Aga Khan, and they have two sons, Irfan and Sinan.

The Aga Khan, has numerous descents and connections to the British peerage and landed gentry. 

He was born 12 October, 1971, the first son of the late Aga Khan IV (1936-2025), and his first wife the former Sarah Frances Croker-Poole (born 28 January, 1940), whose first husband, Lord James Crichton-Stuart (1935-82), was a younger son of the 5th Marquess of Bute (1907-56). 

The late Aga Khan's mother was the former Hon Joan Barbara Yarde-Buller (1908-1997), eldest daughter of the 3rd Baron Churston, OBE, MVO (1873-1930), of Laleham House, Middlesex, by his wife the actress Jessie Smither (who took to the stage as Denise Orme) (1884-1960).

The Aga Khan V is a great-nephew of Denise Yarde-Buller (1916-2005), Baroness Ebury, wife of the 5th Baron, and of Lydia Yarde-Buller (1917-2006), Duchess of Bedford, wife of the late 13th Duke of Bedford (1917-2002). Another great-aunt was Primrose Yarde-Buller (1918-1970), Countess Cadogan, wife of the 7th Earl Cadogan (1914-1997), owner of the vast Cadogan estates in Central London. 

The Aga Khan is also a descendant of King Edward III.

Edward III > John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster > Joan Beaufort, Countess of Westmorland > Richard Neville, 5th Earl of Salisbury > Katherine Neville > Cecily Bonville > Elizabeth Fitzgerald > Elizabeth Grey > Edward Fitzgerald > Thomas Fitzgerald > George, 16th Earl of Kildare > Robert Fitzgerald > Robert, 19th Earl of Kildare > James, 1st Duke of Leinster > William, 2nd Duke of Leinster > Lady Emily Fitzgerald > Admiral Sir Hastings Yelverton > Barbara Yelverton > John, 3rd Baron Churston > Joan Yarde-Buller > HH The Aga Khan IV > The Aga Khan V

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Saturday, February 08, 2025

Penelope Rose Alexander (née Lee-Warner) 1925-2025

Penelope Rose Alexander (née Lee Warner), who died in Kenya 25 January, 2025, aged 99, was a scion of the Lee-Warner landed gentry family, of Walsingham Abbey, Norfolk.

She was born in 1925, daughter of the Rev Canon Alfred Lee-Warner (1877-1973), and his wife the former Dorothy Cresswell Eyres (who died in 1928); and married in 1952, Gerald Francis Alexander, by whom she had four daughters.

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Maitland/Morrison engagement

 The engagement was announced 8 February, 2025, between William Whitaker Maitland (born 1996), scion of that landed gentry family, elder son of John Whitaker (Johnny) Maitland (born 1961), of Somersby, Lincolnshire, and his wife the former Moira Jane Bracher (born 1963), & the Hon Nancy Lorna Morrison (born 22 January, 1995), daughter of the 3rd Baron Margadale (born 4 Apr, 1958), of Fonthill, and his 1st wife the former Lady Sophia Louise Sydney Cavendish (now Topley, of Chirton, Wiltshire) (born 18 May, 1957), daughter of the 11th Duke of Devonshire, KG (1920-2004), and the Hon Deborah Vivien Freeman-Mitford, DCVO (1920-2014).

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Twin daughters for Harry and Camellia Ingham (born 2025)

  Camellia Aline Ingham [born 1988, nee Buckmaster], wife of Harry James Fraser Ingham [born 1988], gave birth to twin daughters, Cosima Violet Henrietta and Iris Marina Mary, 22 January, 2025, a sister for Leo Henry (born 31 January, 2020), and for Ferdinand Guy Buckmaster, born 18 February, 2022.

Harry Ingham is the son of Michael Ingham, of Wimbledon, London, by his wife the former Shirley Cairns, and Camelia Ingham is a daughter of Henry G. Buckmaster, of Little Blakenham, co Suffolk, by his wife the former Julia Mary Hobhouse [born 1956], scion of the Hobhouse baronets.

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Hamilton-Russell/Mundy engagement

The engagement was announced 8 February, 2025, between the Hon Frederick Gustavus George Hamilton-Russell (born 23 May, 1997), adopted son of the 11th Viscount Boyne (born 27 May, 1965), of Burwarton House, Shropshire, and his wife the former Lucy Potter (born 1965), & Annabel Lucy Hainhault Mundy (born 21 January, 1998), daughter of Justin Rupert John Hainhault Mundy (born 1960), of Faintree, Shropshire, by his wife the former Fiona Neville (born 1961).

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The Baron Cameron of Lochbroom, PC

 The Baron Cameron of Lochbroom, PC, died a his home 28 January, 2025. He was 93.

He was a Senator of the College of Justice in Scotland, 1989-2003.

Kenneth John Cameron was born 11 June, 1931, son of the Hon Lord Cameron, KT, DSC (1900-1996), a Lord of Session in Scotland, and was educated at the Edinburgh Academy and Corpus Christi College, Oxford.

He served in the Royal Navy 1950-52, commissioned into the RNVR 1951; Admiralty Faculty of Advocates 1958; QC (Scotland) 1972; Standing Junior to the Department of Trasnport, 1964-71, to the DoE 1971-72; Chairman of Industrial Tribunals in Scotland 1966-81; Advocate Depute 1981-84; Lord Advocate 1984-89; Chairman, Pensions Appeals Tribunal (Scotland) 1975, President 1976-84; Chairman: Committee for Investigation in Scotland of Agricultural Marketing Schemes, 1980-84; Chairman, Scottish Civic Trust 1989-95; Chairman Edinburgh New Town Conservation Committee 1991-94; Chairman Royal Fine Arts Commission for Scotland, from 1995; President, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations 1989-2001; Hon Bencher Lincoln's Inn, 1984; FRSE 1990; Sworn of the Privy Council 1984. He was raised to the peerage of life in 1984 as Baron Cameron of Lochbroom, of Lochbrooom in the District of Ross & Cromarty.

He married Jean Pamela Murray in 1964, and was the father of two daughters.

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The 11th Earl of Sandwich 1943-2025

 The Earl of Sandwich, 11th holder of the peerage, died 1 February, 2025. He was 81.

The Old Etonian, of Mapperton House, Beaminster, Dorset, was an editor and researcher. He was Information Officer and member of the board, Christian Aid; Editor, Save The Children Fund 1987-92; Consultant, CARE Britain 1987-93; Member of the Council, Anti-Slavery International (1997); sometime Chairman Britain Afghanistan Trust; Trustee, TSW Telethon Trust; Governor of Beaminster School; Administrator of the Mapperton Estate from 1982; a Crossbencher in the House of Lords from 1995, and was elected to the House of Lords in 1999.

John Edward Hollister Montagu was born 11 April, 1943, son of the Conservative politician Victor Montagu, then syled Viscount Hinchingbrooke, who was Private Secretary to Stanley Baldwin 1932-34; Member of Parliament (Conservative) for Dorset South 1941-62; who disclaimed the Earldom and other honours for life on 24 Jul 1964 under the terms of the Peerage Act 1963. Victor Montagu married as his first wife, 1934 (div 1958) Rosemary Peto (who died 1988), scion of the Peto baronets. John Montagu was the fourth of their seven children.

John Montagu was styled Viscount Hinchingbrooke, only briefly, from the date of his father's succession to the family honours, 15 June, 1962 until he disclaimed the peerages for life, 24 July, 1964.

He married 1 July, 1968, Susan Caroline Hayman, daughter of the Rev Canon Perceval Ecroyd Cobham Hayman, of Petersfield, co. Hampshire, by whom he had issue, two sons, Luke and Orlando and a daughter Lady Jemima. The second son married 1stly, Laura Roundell (later wife of the Earl of Burlington, heir to the Duke of Devondshire, KCVO, & married 2ndly, Lady Honor Wellesley, daughter of the Duke of Wellington).

He succeeded his father, 25 February, 1995, as 11th Earl of Sandwich (England, let. pat. 12 Jul 1660), 11th Viscount Hinchingbrooke (England, let. pat. 12 Jul 1660), & 11th Baron Montagu of St Neots (England, let. pat. 12 Jul 1660).

He is succeeded by his elder son, Luke Timothy Charles Montagu, styled Viscount Hinchingbrooke (who was born 5 December, 1969). He married Julie Fisher, a royal commentator, daughter of Thomas Fisher, of Chicago, USA, by whom he has issue, a son William (born 2 Nov, 2004).

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Ignatius James William Spalton (born 2025)

Clementine Rose Spalton [born 1984, nee Jepson-Turner], wife of James Michael Jackson Spalton [born 1983], gave birth to a son, Ignatius James William, 2 February, 2025, a brother for Jackson (born 2013), for Grace (born 2015), & for Alice (born 2019).

James Spalton is a son of David Spalton by his wife the former Catherine Bompas, and Clementine is a daughter of Anthony William Jepson-Turner, and a granddaughter of Maj Bertram William Jepson-Turner [1870-1954], by his wife the former Rosemarie Helen Lucas, scion of the Lucas baronets, daughter of Maj Sir Archibald Lucas, 2nd and last Baronet.

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Roger William Ferrard 1930-2025

Roger William Ferrard died 24 January, 2025, aged 94.

He was born in 1930, scion of a landed gentry family, son of Lieutenant-Col Stafford Hubert Ferrand, DSO, MC (1888-1975), and Margaret Frances Riddell (1896-1980), scion of the Riddell baronets; and married in 1954, Jocelyn Kemble Bubb, daughter of Capt Charles Henry Lewis Bubb (1898-1979), of Cricklade, Wiltshire, and his wife the former Elizabeth Laura Kemble (1905-1978), by whom he had issue a son, Charles (born 1955), and two daughters, Victoria and Margaret.

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Diana Marion Pennell (nee Trevor) 1924-2025

 Diana Marion Pennell (nee Trevor) died 23 January, 2025, aged 100.

She was born 1 September, 1924, fourth daughter of Capt Stephen Lloyd Trevor (who died 22 January, 1959), of Auchmacoy House, Ellon, Aberdeenshire, and his wife Lady Olivia Sinclair (1894-1973), who assumed the surname of Buchan, 4 April, 1913, and was 17th of Auchmacoy, eldest of the five daughters of the 18th Earl of Caithness (1862-1947), and his wife the former Lilian Higford (1873-1933). She married 6 December, 1958, Commander Richard George Lovell Pennell (1913-1973), by whom she had issue, a son, Mark (1960-1999), and a daughter, Olivia (born 30 Sept, 1963).

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Wilfred Arthur Laurie Hodgson (born 2025)

  The Hon Mrs Barnaby Hodgson [nee Megan Grace Sandow, born 1990], wife of the Hon Barnaby Peter Granville Hodgson [born 1986], gave birth to a son, Wilfred Arthur Laurie, 27 January, 2025, a brother for Hector James Granville, who was born 17 March, 2020, and for Jago Henry Frederick, born 18 May, 2023.

Barnaby Hodgson is a son of the life peer Baron Hodgson of Astley Abbotts, CBE [born 1942], of London, by his wife the life peeress Baroness Hodgson of Abinger, CBE [born 1954].

Megan Hodgson is a daughter of Frederick K. Sandow, of Taunton, Somerset, by his wife the former Joanna P. Richards.

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Friday, February 07, 2025

The Baron Elis-Thomas, PC 1946-2025

The Baron Elis-Thomas, PC, who died 7 February, 2025, aged 78, was, as Dafydd Elis Thomas,  a Welsh politician who served as the leader of Plaid Cymru from 1984 to 1991 and represented the Dwyfor Meirionnydd constituency in the Senedd from 1999 to 2021.

He was born 18 October, 1946, as Dafydd Elis Thomas, and assumed the surname of Elis-Thomas is lieu of his patronymic, by deed poll, in 1992.

He married firstly, in 1970 (div.) Elen M Williams, by whom he had three sons, and married 2ndly, in 1993, Mair Parry Jones.

Having come third at Conwy in the 1970 general election, Thomas served as MP for Merioneth between 1974 and 1983, initially as the Baby of the House, and subsequently as MP for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy from 1983 to 1992. On entering the House of Commons in 1974, he became one of the first MPs to be allowed to take the oath of allegiance in Welsh as well as in English.

He was created a life peer on 18 September 1992 as Baron Elis-Thomas, of Nant Conwy in the County of Gwynedd, with a change of his surname from Thomas to Elis-Thomas. He sat as a crossbench peer because at that time he had taken on the non-political role of chair of the Welsh Language Board; in 2012, he took the Plaid Cymru whip in the Lords until leaving the party in 2016.

From 2011, Elis-Thomas was Plaid Cymru's spokesperson for Environment, Energy and Planning before transferring to Rural Affairs, Fisheries and Food in 2012. In October 2016 he left Plaid Cymru, but remained in the Assembly as an Independent member. In November 2017, as part of a Welsh Government reshuffle, Elis-Thomas was appointed as Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport.

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William George Stirling Home Drummond Moray 1940-2025

William George Stirling Home Drummond Moray, who died 2 February, 2025, aged 84, was 22nd of Abercairny, head of that landed gentry family.

He was born 22 August, 1940, the second son of Major James William Stirling Home Drummond Moray, 21st of Abercairny (1900-67), of Abercairny, Crieff, Perthshire, and his wife the former Jeanetta Ruth Montagu Douglas Scott (1906-1997), scion of the Dukes of Buccleuch & Queensberry. William had an elder brother, Henry, who died aged 4 in 1942, and younger brothers John and David and a sister Lucy. His mother, Jeaanetta, was a granddaughter of the 6th Duke of Buccleuch (1831-1914).

He married firstly, 7 January, 1969 (div. 1991) Angela Jane Baring (born 26 Dec, 1946), scion of the banking family of Baring baronets, daughter of Lt-Cdr Michael John Baring (1921-1955), and his wife the former Pamela Anne Barnardo; married 2ndly, 1991, Emma Moyra Rattray (born 16 Nov, 1952), scion of that landed family, daughter of Captain James Silvester Rattray of Craighall-Rattray, 28th of Rattray (1919-1999), and his wife the former Christian Hilda Guthrie (1924-1963), scion of that landed family.

From his first marriage he leaves issue, three daughters, Anna (born 1971), Frances (born 1974), and Georgina (born 1979), and he leaves a daughter from his second marriage, Caroline.

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Selina Violet Douglas-Home 2005-2025

 Selina Violet Douglas-Home, who died 24 January, 2025, aged 19, was a scion of the Earls of Home.

She was born 1 February, 2005, the only daughter of Tara John Douglas-Home (born 8 Apr, 1969), and his wife the former Francina Aurelia Beelaerts van Blokland (born 13 May, 1972), and a granddaughter of Charles Cospatrick Douglas-Home (1937-85), sometime editor of The Times newspaper, by his wife Jessica Violet Gwynne (born 7 Feb, 1944).

Selina was a great-granddaughter of the Hon Henry Montagu Douglas-Home (1907-1980), and his wife the Lady Alexandra Margaret Elizabeth Spencer (1906-96), daughter of the 6th Earl Spencer, KG, GCVO, VD, PC (1857-1922).

Selina's great-grandfather was a younger brother of the 14th Earl of Home, KT (1903-1995), later Sir Alec Douglas-Home, Prime Minister 1963-64, and afterwards Baron Home of the Hirsel, life peer.

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Thursday, February 06, 2025

Dodd-Noble/Murray engagement

 The engagement was announced 6 February, 2025, between Maximilian Alexander Patrick Dodd-Noble (born 14 June, 1994), son of Patrick Robin Dodd-Noble (born 10 November, 1951), of London SW11, and his wife the former Julia Leys Geddes (born 1957), and Isabella Henrietta Laura Murray (born 20 Nov, 1994), eldest daughter of Stephen Christopher Jerningham Murray (born 1957), of Saffron Walden, and his wife the Hon Amanda Muriel Mary Neville (born 8 Apr, 1962), eldest of the five daughters of the 10th Baron Braybrooke (1932-2017).

Patrick Dodd-Noble is the second son of Adrian Dodd-Noble (1922-2013), and his wife the Lady Elizabeth Theresa Boyle (1920-1981), who was a sister of the 13th Earl of Cork & Orrery (1910-95), and the 14th Earl of Cork & Orrery (1916-2003).

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Rémi Sophia Cederström Comyn (born 2024)

 The Hon  Lara Fiona Brita Comyn [nee Bampfylde, born 14 May, 1990], wife of Capt Edward John FitzWalter Comyn [born 1989], descended from the Barons FitzWalter, gave birth to a daughter, Rémi Sophia Cederström, 22 December, 2024, a sister for Rory William Fitzwalter, who was born 20 September, 2022.

Capt Comyn is the younger son of Timoty John Comyn [born 1951], of Westcot, co Oxford, by his wife the former Jane Fairrie Drinkwater [born 1954].

The Hon Lara Comyn is a daughter of the 7th Baron Poltimore [born 8 June, 1957], of Hungerford, Berkshire, by his wife the former Sally Anne Miles [born 1957].

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Wednesday, February 05, 2025

Caroline Joanna Spragge (née Baird) 1935-2025

Caroline Joanna Spragge (née Baird), who died 14 January, 2025, aged 89, was a scion of the Baird landed gentry family.

She was born 3 May, 1935, the eldest daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel David Everard Baird (1906-1987), and his wife the former Winifred Isobel Thorburn (1911-1990); and married 20 April, 1963, her first cousin, Lieutenant-Commander David Charles Spragge, RN (1932-2010), younger son of Commander Harold Edward Spragge, RN (1894-1975), and his former wife the former Vida Janet Baird (1899-1980), by whom she had issue, three daughters, Hannah, Clare and Katie.

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(Angus) Richard Bonsor 1947-2025

 (Angus) Richard Bonsor, who died 27 January, 2025, aged 77, was a scion of the Bonsor baronets.

He was born 3 February, 1947, the second son of Sir Bryan Bonsor, 3rd Baronet (1916-1977), and his wife the former Elizabeth Hambro (1920-1995), scion of that landed gentry banking family; and was sometime a director of J.O. Hambro Investment Management; he married 14 January, 1971, Susan Anne Wigan (born 1949), scion of that landed gentry family, daughter of Flight Lieutenant David Henry Lewis Wigan (1924-2006), and his 1st wife the former Anne Heyworth (1924-2017), scion of that landed family and descended from the Barons Tweedmouth, by whom he had issue, two sons, Rupert (born 26 Sept, 1974), and Edward (born 16 July, 1976), and a daughter, Clare (born 3 Sept, 1981).

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Rosanna Catherine Frances Clarke (born 2025)

Polly Jane Beaumont Clarke (nee Fairbank, born 1993), wife of Thomas H. Clarke, gave birth to a daughter, Rosanna Catherine Frances (Rosie), 4 January, 2025, a sister for Eliza Jane.

Tom Clarke is the elder son of Mr & Mrs Francis Clarke, of Harston, 

Polly Clarke is the eldest daughter of Simon Neville Fairbank [born 6 July, 1965], of South Dalton, Yorkshire, by his wife the former Catherine Jane Beaumont Sanders [born 1967].

Polly's is a granddaughter of John Anthony Fairbank [1931-1966], by his wife the former Jane Truscott [born 14 September, 1937], scion of the Truscott baronets, third daughter of Sir Denis Truscott, GBE [1908-89], sometime Lord Mayor of London.

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Scarlett Elizabeth Brooke (born 31 Jan 2025)

 Emily Anne K. Brooke (nee Close, born 1990), wife of George Francis Geoffrey Brooke [born 10 September, 1991], gave birth to a daughter, Scarlett Elizabeth, 31 January, 2025.

George Brooke is the son and heir of Sir Francis George Windham Brooke, 4th Baronet [born 15 October, 1963], of Glenbevan, Croom, County Limerick, and his wife the Hon Lady Brooke [nee the Hon Katharine Elizabeth Hussey, born 1 Feb, 1964]/

Emily Brooke is the the only daughter of Thomas D. Close, of Horsham, West Sussex, and his wife the former Sarah Pool.

George Brooke is a grandson maternally of Lady Susan Hussey, GCVO [nee Waldegrave] [born 1 May, 1939] long serving Woman of the Bedchamber to HM Queen Elizabeth II.

12th Earl Waldegrave, KG [1905-95] > Lady Susan Waldegrave [b 1939] > Hon Katharine Hussey [b 1964] > George Brooke [b 1991] > Scarlett Elizabeth Brooke [b 2025]

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Tuesday, February 04, 2025

His Highness The Aga Khan IV 1936-2025

 His Highness The Aga Khan, who became the spiritual leader of the world’s millions of Ismaili Muslims at age 20 as a Harvard undergraduate and who poured a material empire built on billions of dollars in tithes into building homes, hospitals and schools in developing countries, died 4 February, 2025, at Lisbon. He was 88.

His Aga Khan Foundation and the Ismaili religious community announced on their websites that His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, the Aga Khan IV and 49th hereditary imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, died on Tuesday in Portugal surrounded by his family. They said an announcement on his successor would come later.

Considered by his followers to be a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV was a student when his grandfather passed over his playboy father as his successor to lead the diaspora of Shia Ismaili Muslims, saying his followers should be led by a young man “who has been brought up in the midst of the new age.”

Over decades, the Aga Khan evolved into a business magnate and a philanthropist, moving between the spiritual and the worldly and mixing them with ease.

Treated as a head of state, the Aga Khan was given the title of “His Highness” by HM Queen Elizabeth II in July 1957, two weeks after his grandfather the Aga Khan III unexpectedly made him heir to the family’s 1,300-year dynasty as leader of the Ismaili Muslim sect.

He became the Aga Khan IV on Oct. 19, 1957, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on the spot where his grandfather once had his weight equalled in diamonds in gifts from his followers.

He had left Harvard to be at his ailing grandfather’s side, and returned to school 18 months later with an entourage and a deep sense of responsibility.

“I was an undergraduate who knew what his work for the rest of his life was going to be,” he said in a 2012 interview with Vanity Fair magazine. “I don’t think anyone in my situation would have been prepared.”

Accounts differ as to the date and place of Prince Karim Aga Khan’s birth. According to “Who’s Who in France,” he was born 13 December, 1936, at Creux-de-Genthod, near Geneva, Switzerland.

He was the son of Prince Ali Salman Shah (1911-1960), and his first wife, the Hon Joan Barbara Yarde-Buller (1908-1997), former wife of Thomas Loel Evelyn Bulkeley Guinness (1906-88), and eldest daughter of the 3rd Baron Churston (1873-1930), and his first wife the actress Jessie Smither (who used the stage name Denise Orme) (1884-1960). Jessie was later wife of the 7th Duke of Leinster (1892-1976). His mother's third husband was the 2nd Viscount Camrose (1909-1995).

His Highness had an elder half-brother, Patrick Benjamin Guinness (born 10 March, 1931), who married in 1955, the German aristocrat Dolores Maria Agatha Wilhelmine Luise Gräfin von Fürstenberg (born 31 July, 1936), and he was killed in a motor accident, 5 Oct, 1965. 

His Highness had numerous lines of descent from peerage families, and a royal descent from King Edward III.

The Aga Khan married firstly, in 1969 (divorced 1995), the model Sarah Frances Croker Poole (born 28 January, 1940), former wife of Lord James Charles Crichton-Stuart (1935-82), a younger son of the 4th Marquess of Bute (1907-1956), and his wife Lady Eileen Beatrice Forbes (1912-93), and daughter of Lieutenant-Col Arthur Edward Croker Poole (1900-80), and his wife the former Jean Margaret Balfour Watson (who died 2001). His Highness the Aga Khan married 2ndly, 30 May, 1998 (div 2014) Gabriele Renate Thyssen (Princess Inaara Aga Khan) (born 1 April, 1963), former wife of Karl-Emich Nikolaus Friedrich Hermann Erbprinz zu Leiningen (born 12 June, 1952), and daughter of   Helmut Friedhelm Homey, and his wife Renate Kerkhoff.

The Aga Khan leaves issue by his first wife, known as the Begum Salimah Aga Khan, two sons, Rahim (born 12 Oct, 1971), and Hussain (born 10 Apr, 1974), and a daughter, Zahra (born 18 Sept, 1970), and a son by his second wife, Aly Muhammad (born 7 March, 2000).

The eldest son, Rahim, married the American model Kendra Spears (now Princess Salwa Aga Khan) in 2013, and they have two sons.

The Aga Khan's daughter, Zahra, married in 1997 (div 2005), (Jonathan) Mark Boyden (born 1961), son of a Dorset farmer, and has issue, a son, Iliyan Boyden (born 8 May, 2002), and a daughter, Sara Boyden (born 14 Nov, 2000).

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Elizabeth Caroline Anderson (nee Hibbert) 1943-2025

 Elizabeth Caroline Anderson, who died 25 January, 2025, aged 81, was a scion of the Hibbert landed gentry family, and a granddaughter of the 2nd Earl of Inchcape.

She was born 9 June, 1943, second daughter of Major Hugh Washington Hibbert (1911-1985), and his wife the former Lady Patricia Margery Kathleen Mackay (1916-1973), daughter of the 2nd Earl of Inchcape (1887-1939), and his wife Joan Moriarty (1896-1933); and married 1stly, 12 June, 1965, Capt Jeremy Michael Porter (1937-1985), son of Capt Ludovic Ernest Porter, RN (1902-1976) and his wife the former Joan Caulfeild (1903-95), scion of the Viscounts Charlemont; married 2ndly, 6 March, 1991, Kenneth Rouse Anderson, son of Austin Innes Anderson, and leaves issue from her first marriage, two sons, James Robert Porter (born 11 Oct, 1967), and Toby Hugh Washington Porter (born 4 May, 1969).

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Mary Fleur Cameron (nee Mount) 1934-2025

 Mary Fleur Cameron (nee Mount), who has died aged 90, was a scion of the Mount baronets, and mother of the former Prime Minister the Baron Cameron of Chipping Norton, PC.

Mary Fleur Mount was born 22 October, 1934, the second daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir William Malcolm Mount, 2nd Baronet (1904-1993), and his wife the former Elizabeth Nance Llewellyn (1904-1997); and married 20 October, 1962, Ian Donald Cameron (1932-2010), scion of the clan Cameron and a descendant of King William IV & Mrs Dorothea Jordan, by whom she had issue, two sons, Allan Cameron, QC (1963-2023), the Rt Hon David Cameron, Baron Cameron of Chipping Norton, PC (born 9 Oct, 1966), and two daughters, Tania (born 7 March, 1965), and Clare (born 1971).

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Paloma Leo Lorimer Worsley (born 25 Jan. 2025)

 Eliza Worsley (née Lorimer), wife of Hugo Justin Pitfield Worsley (born 5 Aug, 1992), scion of the Worsley baronets, gave birth to a daughter, Paloma Leo Lorimer Worsley, 25 January, 2025, at Homerton University Hospital.

Hugo Worsley is the third son of Jonathan Hugh Worsley (born 3 October, 1960), and his wife the former Laura Weldon Pitfield (born 1957), and is a grandson of the late John Arthington Worsley (1928-2022), and his wife the Hon Carolyn Mary Wynyard Hardinge (1932-2007), daughter of the 4th Viscount Hardinge (1905-79).

The infant is a great-great niece of HRH The Duchess of Kent, GCVO.

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Monday, February 03, 2025

Sir Simon William Patrick Dunning, 3rd & last Baronet 1939-2025

 Sir Simon William Patrick Dunning, 3rd Baronet, died 28 January, 2025. He was 85.

He was born 14 December, 1939, son of Sir William Leonard Dunning, 2nd Baronet (1903-1961), and his wife the former Kathleen Lawrie (who died 1992), and succeeded to the baronetcy, created in 1930, on his father's death, 10 September, 1961.

Sir Simon was educated at Eton, and was an insurance broker and underwriting member of Lloyds. He was a member of the Turf Club. His home was at Low Auchengillan, Blanefield by Glasgow.

He married in 1975, Frances Deirdre Morton Lancaster (who died 1 Oct, 2016), daughter of Major Patrick William Morton Lancaster (1914-1986), of Wapsbourne Manor, Sheffield Park, Sussex, by his wife the former Masika Mary C. Evans-Brown (1914-2000), by whom he had a daughter, Mariota Kathleen Masika (who was born 30 Aug, 1976).

The baronetcy now becomes extinct.

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Octavia Helen Dominique Skinner (born 2025)

 Francesca Katherine Charteris Skinner [née Groves, born 1987], wife of Miles David R Skinner (born 1986), gave birth to a daughter Octavia Helen Dominique, 24 January, 2025, a sister for Theodore David Richard, who was born 5 Oct, 2021.

Francesca is a daughter of Richard William Lewis Groves, of Fontmell Parva, Dorset, by his wife the former Helen Mary Keppel Charteris (b 1956), scion of the Earls of Wemyss & March, daughter of David Nigel Charteris (1920-2007), by his first wife the former Eupehmia Mary Inglis (1924-69), daughter of Major-General Sir (John) Drummond Inglis, KBE, CB, MC (1895-1985), &c.

Miles Skinner is a son of the late David J Skinner by his wife the former Dominique G.R. Bates (b 1959), of Haslemere, Surrey.  

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Saturday, February 01, 2025

Hon Eloise Violet Jean Bathurst (born 21 Jan, 2025)

 Sara Bathurst, styled Lady Apsley (née Kushma), wife of Benjamin George Henry [Ben] Bathurst, styled Baron Apsley [born 6 March, 1990], gave birth to a daughter, Eloise Violet Jean, 21 January, 2025, a sister for the Hon Theodore George Eugene (Teddy), who was born 7 March, 2023, 

Lord Apsley is the son and heir of the 9th Earl Bathurst [born 11 March, 1961], of Cirencester Park, Gloucestershire, by his first wife the former Hilary Jane George [now Hilary, Baroness Apsley].

Lady Apsley is the youngest daughter of Michael and Debra Kushma, of New York City, United States.

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Lady Perdita Minna 'Perdy' Pratt (born 22 Jan, 2025)

Dinah Louise Walpole Pratt, styled Countess of Brecknock  (born 1988, nee Hillsdon), wife since 2024 of James William John (Jamie) Pratt, styled Earl of Brecknock ( born 11 December, 1965), gave birth to a daughter, Lady Perdita Minna ('Perdy'), 22 January, 2025.

The Earl of Brecknock  is the elder son and heir of the 6th Marquess Camden (born 13 August, 1930), and his first wife the former Virginia Ann Finlaison (now Mrs Michael Clark).

The Countess of Brecknock is a daughter of Thomas D. Hillsdon (born 1957), and his wife the former Gina L. Walpole.

The Earl of Brecknock, 59, is heir to the several peerages of his 93 year-old father:-

Marquess Camden (United Kingdom, let. pat. 7 Sep 1812); Earl Camden (Great Britain, let. pat. 13 May 1786); Earl of Brecknock (United Kingdom, let. pat. 7 Sep 1812); Viscount Bayham, of Bayham Abbey in the County of Kent (Great Britain, let. pat. 13 May 1786); Baron Camden, of Camden Place in the County of Kent (Great Britain, let. pat. 17 Jul 1765)

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Hon Marybelle Drummond (died 26 Jan. 2025)

 The Hon Mrs Marybelle Drummond ((née Gordon), died 26 January, 2025, aged 85.

She was a daughter of Capt Charles Gordon of Pitlurg, of Duford Wood, Petersfield, Hampshire, and his wife 2nd wife, Frances Strickland Lovell Oldham, daughter of Robert Pollard Oldham, of Seattle, United States, who had married (1) 1928, as his second wife, the Hon James Henry Bertie Rodney, MC, DSO (1893-1933), and married (2) in 1938 (div 1948), the abovementioned Capt Charles Gordon. Frances married (3) in 1949, Alwyne Farquharson of Invercauld, 16th of Invercauld (1919-2021).

She married 24 June, 1961 (div 1985), the Hon James Reginald Drummond (born 28 July, 1938), second son of the 17th Earl of Perth (1907-2002), and his wife the former Nancy Seymour Finke (who died 7 June, 1996).

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Wills/Webb engagement

 The engagement was announced 1 February, 2025, between Thomas Robert Hamilton Wills (born 1991), scion of the Barons Dulverton, elder son of Christopher Aubrey Hamilton Wills (born 21 February, 1953), of Litchfield Down, Hampshire, and his wife the former Lady Katharine Anne Meade (born 10 Aug, 1959), & Emma A. Webb, daughter of Mr Michael Webb, of Boxford, Berkshire, and Mrs Bridget Roupell, of Kintbury, Berkshire.

Thomas Wills is a grandson maternally of the late 6th Earl of Clanwilliam (1914-1989).

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Forbes/Martyn-Hemphill engagement

 The engagement was announced 1 February, 2025, between Patrick James Ferrar Forbes (born 1980) son of Dr & Mrs Michael Forbes, of London, & the Hon Amelia Rose Martyn-Hemphill (born 1988), second daughter of the 6th Baron Hemphill (born 8 Oct, 1954), of London, and his wife the former Sarah Jane Frances Lumley (born 1956).

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Douglas-Miller/Izat engagement

 The engagement was announced 1 February, 2025, between Capt the Hon Archie J.K. Douglas-Miller, son of the life peer the Baron Douglas-Miller, OBE (born 1965), of The Hopes, East Lothian, and Baroness Douglas-Miller , descended from the Bromley Davenport landed gentry family, & Dr Poppy Elizabeth M. Izat (born 1997), daughter of Alexander R. Izat (born 1961), of Baitstrand Farm, Northumberland, by his wife the former Jane Alston.

Poppy Izat is a niece of Rosanna Izat (born 1963), Baroness Clinton, wife of the 23rd Baron Clinton.

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